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short bridge/weight limit

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Ezrider_48501, Oct 3, 2011.

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  1. Oct 3, 2011 #1
    Ezrider_48501

    Ezrider_48501 Road Train Member

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    on a short bridge (shorter than the truck) does the weight limit sign mean total weight on the bridge or total gross weight of vehical, i got sent somewhere today and there dirrections sent me loaded over two bridges one no more than one set of axels was on the bridge at any givin time and was marked 20 ton weight limit, the second you would hit with your steer and drives but not the trailer at the same time and it was marked at 26 tons, i was at 80k if the weight limit refers to what is acualy on the bridge i should have been ok, wich would go with along with the 80k lbs max signs for the road its self.
     
    Ezrider_48501, Oct 3, 2011
    Ezrider_48501, Oct 3, 2011
    #1
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  3. Oct 3, 2011 #2
    Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    That's a really interesting question, and one I don't have an answer for.

    Many bridges have a 40 ton limit, and yet there might be several times that on the bridge at any given time, depending on the traffic. Just two fully loaded trucks at the same time exceeds the weight limit by a factor of two - if it were a limit for the structure and not the vehicle.

    It's a wicky sticket, for sure.
     
    Moosetek13, Oct 3, 2011
    Moosetek13, Oct 3, 2011
    #2
  4. Oct 3, 2011 #3
    mgfg

    mgfg Road Train Member

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    Couple the weight of multiple vehicles and then compund their weight as they "bounce" across the bridge and the allowable 40 ton is magnified numerous times.
     
    mgfg, Oct 3, 2011
    mgfg, Oct 3, 2011
    #3
  5. Oct 3, 2011 #4
    7122894003481

    7122894003481 Bobtail Member

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    The trick is to go really really fast over it.:smile:
     
    7122894003481, Oct 3, 2011
    7122894003481, Oct 3, 2011
    #4
    corneileous, walstib and Cowmobile Thank this.
  7. Oct 3, 2011 #5
    Tapeworm

    Tapeworm Medium Load Member

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    I would take it at face value, I.E. if your total vehicle weight exceeds the weight limit of the bridge you should not cross at that location. Why take the chance? You could get a HEFTY fine, or worse.
     
    Tapeworm, Oct 3, 2011
    Tapeworm, Oct 3, 2011
    #5
  8. Oct 3, 2011 #6
    hammer head mn

    hammer head mn Light Load Member

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    And then this poses the next question.Why do they put the weight limit of bridge right on bridge railing or just a few feet in front of it?Wouldnt it be nice if they told you ahead of time so you had place to turn around.:biggrin_25520:
     
    hammer head mn, Oct 3, 2011
    hammer head mn, Oct 3, 2011
    #6
    THBatMan8 and corneileous Thank this.
  9. Oct 3, 2011 #7
    7122894003481

    7122894003481 Bobtail Member

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    That would be way too easy.

    I was on a state road in Indiana and I swear I was driving for 10 miles without hitting any major intersections when I came to a bridge marked 13'6.....I crept up to it and it didnt look like I could make it. Would have been nice if they put that sign 10 miles back.
     
    7122894003481, Oct 3, 2011
    7122894003481, Oct 3, 2011
    #7
    corneileous Thanks this.
  10. Oct 4, 2011 #8
    Ezrider_48501

    Ezrider_48501 Road Train Member

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    the road has alot of truck traffic, its a two lane highway but has tire groves in it from heavy truck traffic, but im still looking for a accurate answer. also the nearest place you could turn around after getting to the bridge would be to back up over a mile to the next place that you could turn around a semi.

    it would be nice if they came up with one way to mark roads, some have max gross weight others will say 8 ton weight limit that means 8 tons per axel not just 8 tons. others will say 40 ton load limit. it makes most sense to me that these bridges are labled for max weight on the bridge becouse a bridge so short its going to make a big differance as far as the acual load on the bridge with say a tractor trailer vrs a 5 axel dump truck.
     
    Ezrider_48501, Oct 4, 2011
    Ezrider_48501, Oct 4, 2011
    #8
  11. Oct 4, 2011 #9
    sdaniel

    sdaniel Road Train Member

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    Sounds like going into the walmart dc in De? No trucks going theere!
     
    sdaniel, Oct 4, 2011
    sdaniel, Oct 4, 2011
    #9
  12. Oct 4, 2011 #10
    Dryver

    Dryver Road Train Member

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    If you travel over a bridge that is weight rated lower than the total weight of your truck you will at a minimum be fined. If you damage the bridge, and the very action of travelling over it knowing you are too heavy is damaging it, you will be taken to court for all the costs associated with the survey, inspection and repair of the bridge. If you are a company driver doing this, your career will soon be over. It is very black and white, ask a law enforcement officer, the sign says this, you weigh this....done.

    Why would you not turn around and find another route? You think it can't happen to you? The bridge 'looks' strong enough? This is a no brainer, don't drive on it.
     
    Dryver, Oct 4, 2011
    Dryver, Oct 4, 2011
    #10
    GSWx Thanks this.
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